Commercial Driver Handbook ( PDF ) - California Department of ...
Commercial Driver Handbook ( PDF ) - California Department of ...
Commercial Driver Handbook ( PDF ) - California Department of ...
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• You will have to keep passing other vehicles.<br />
This increases the chance <strong>of</strong> a collision.<br />
• It is more tiring. Fatigue increases the chance<br />
<strong>of</strong> a collision.<br />
Overtaking or following another vehicle. You<br />
may not overtake and pass another vehicle which<br />
is moving at less than 20 mph on a grade (outside<br />
a business or residential district) unless you can<br />
pass that vehicle at least 10 mph faster than it is<br />
travelling and the pass can be completed within<br />
one quarter mile. (CVC §21758).<br />
You must not follow the vehicles listed below<br />
any closer than 300 feet. The rule does not apply<br />
during overtaking and passing, when there are two<br />
or more lanes for traffic in each direction, or in<br />
a business or residential district (CVC §21704).<br />
• A motor truck or truck tractor having three or<br />
more axles.<br />
• Any motor truck or truck tractor towing any<br />
other vehicle.<br />
• A passenger vehicle or bus towing any other<br />
vehicle.<br />
• A school bus transporting any school pupil.<br />
• A farm labor vehicle when transporting<br />
passengers.<br />
• A vehicle transporting explosives.<br />
• A trailer bus.<br />
When large vehicles are being driven in caravan<br />
on the open highway, at least 100 feet must be left<br />
between them to allow other vehicles to overtake<br />
and pass them (CVC §21705).<br />
speed on doWngrades<br />
Your vehicle’s speed will increase on down grades<br />
because <strong>of</strong> gravity. Your most important objective<br />
is to select and maintain a speed that is not too<br />
fast for the:<br />
• Total weight <strong>of</strong> the vehicle and cargo.<br />
• Length and steepness <strong>of</strong> the grade.<br />
• Road conditions and weather.<br />
If a speed limit is posted, or there is a sign indicating<br />
a maximum safe speed, never exceed the posted<br />
speed. Also look for and heed warning signs<br />
indicating the length and steepness <strong>of</strong> the grade.<br />
- 38 -<br />
You must use the braking effect <strong>of</strong> the engine as<br />
the principal way <strong>of</strong> controlling your speed on<br />
downgrades. The braking effect <strong>of</strong> the engine is<br />
greatest when it is near the governed rpms and the<br />
transmission is in the lower gears. Save your brakes<br />
so you will be able to slow or stop as required by<br />
road and traffic conditions.<br />
Slow the vehicle and shift your transmission to a<br />
low gear before starting down the grade and use<br />
the proper braking techniques.<br />
More information on going down steep hills safely<br />
is on page 45 in the section on “Mountain Driving.”<br />
roadWay Work zones<br />
Speeding traffic is the number one cause <strong>of</strong> injury<br />
and death in roadway work zones. Observe the<br />
posted speed limits at all times when approaching<br />
and driving through a work zone. The speed<br />
limit may be reduced in a work zone. Watch your<br />
speedometer, and don’t allow your speed to creep<br />
up as you drive through long sections <strong>of</strong> road<br />
construction. Decrease your speed for adverse<br />
weather or road conditions. Decrease your speed<br />
even further when a worker is close to the roadway.<br />
mAnAgIng SPAce<br />
A safe driver keeps space all around the vehicle.<br />
When things go wrong, space gives you time to<br />
think and to take action.<br />
To have space available when something goes<br />
wrong, you need to manage space. While this is<br />
true for all drivers, it is very important for large<br />
vehicles. They take up more space and they require<br />
more space for stopping and turning.<br />
spaCe ahead<br />
Of all the space around your vehicle, it is the area<br />
ahead <strong>of</strong> the vehicle–the space you are driving<br />
into–that is the most important.<br />
The need for space ahead. You need space ahead<br />
in case you must suddenly stop. According to<br />
collision reports, the vehicle that trucks and buses<br />
most <strong>of</strong>ten run into is the one in front <strong>of</strong> them. The<br />
most frequent cause <strong>of</strong> collisions is following too<br />
closely. Remember, if the vehicle ahead <strong>of</strong> you is